The Lewisham Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE) convened a meeting to discuss a range of topics, including a review of the curriculum and assessment, religious education (RE) teaching hours, and what makes a good SACRE member. The meeting also included a safeguarding update and an information exchange.

RE Teaching Hours in Lewisham

The meeting included a discussion of RE teaching hours in Lewisham schools, based on data from the school workforce census of November 2024. The report pack included an analysis from NATRE (the National Association of Teachers of RE), who stated that they are:

committed to supporting SACREs, schools, local authorities and Academy Trusts in monitoring provision for RE.

The data included a table showing the school name, school type, religious character, and percentage of teaching hours dedicated to RE in years 7-13 for several schools in Lewisham, including Trinity Church of England School, Bonus Pastor Catholic College, Haberdashers' Knights Academy, Sedgehill Academy, Haberdashers' Hatcham College, St Matthew Academy, Sydenham School, and Forest Hill School.

The analysis also included data on Key Stage 4 entries and attainment, Ofsted ratings, the local MP, the political party they represent, and the percentage of pupils achieving grades 9-4 in full course GCSEs. The report pack noted that errors are sometimes made by schools when inputting the data, and that a 'z' in the data indicates that the school reported teaching hours for other subjects, but not for RE.

Curriculum and Assessment Review

Attendees were scheduled to discuss the Curriculum and Assessment Review, referring to the final report titled, Building a world-class curriculum for all . The report's executive summary stated that the review was commissioned in July 2024, with Professor Becky Francis CBE as chair, and that it considered Key Stages 1-4 and 16-19 education. The report stated that the review sought to capture the strengths of every student while ensuring a robust and fair system. The report also noted that several important areas that relate to curriculum and assessment sit outside the scope of the review, including the Early Years Foundation Stage, pedagogical approaches, careers advice and guidance, work experience and enrichment activities, education funding, teacher training and development and workforce supply issues.

What Makes a Good SACRE Member?

The meeting included an activity and discussion around the question, What makes a good SACRE member? Attendees were asked to consider a list of characteristics and agree on a ranking for them, discarding any that they thought were inappropriate. The characteristics included listening to all views and ideas, seeking to understand the views of other members, being willing to contribute to discussions, understanding his or her role as a SACRE member, being committed to SACRE meetings, being well informed about the work of their SACRE, working harmoniously with other members, having time to spend in school, being keen and able to communicate with teachers and pupils, supporting and encouraging local schools to aspire to high standards in RE and collective worship, being prepared to bring issues to SACRE from their faith, belief or other sponsoring group, caring about pupils' learning and their personal development, understanding and believing in the positive value of RE and collective worship in schools, keeping in touch with national issues in RE and collective worship, knowing about local faith communities, having the ability and confidence to question perceived wisdom, taking an interest in key RE and collective worship issues facing schools, and working to create a bridge between SACRE, local communities and local schools.

Other Business

• Safeguarding Update Anthony Doudle was scheduled to provide a safeguarding update.
• Minutes of the Previous Meeting Attendees were scheduled to confirm the minutes of the previous SACRE meeting held on 21 October at Emmanuel Church, Lee.
• Matters Arising Matters arising from the minutes not on the agenda were scheduled to be discussed, including Holocaust Memorial Day¹ and its theme for 2026, 'Bridging Generations'.
• Information Exchange There was an item for information exchange and any other business.
• Date of Next Meeting The date of the next meeting was scheduled to be confirmed as Thursday 26th February 2026, on Zoom.